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Orange County Coronavirus

Orange County Supervisors Fail to Address Growing Coronavirus Mask Enforcement Questions

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Sheriffs stand guard at the entrance to the board of supervisors meeting on Jun. 23, 2020 in Santa Ana.

By Spencer Custodio Spencer Custodio | June 23, 2020
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It remains unclear how or if the statewide coronavirus mask mandate will be enforced in Orange County, after County Supervisors on Tuesday declined to address any enforcement approach, despite numerous residents either advocating for it as well as lobbying against it. 


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Last Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom called on the California Department of Public Health to update its guidelines, which now require all Californians wear masks when in public places. 

While other Supervisors, at their Tuesday meeting, questioned OC interim Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau about virus hospitalization numbers and contact tracing, Supervisor Doug Chaffee was the only one mentioned the masks. 

Chaffee recalled his conversation with former Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick, who resigned after a wave of threats and protests in front of her house following her mask order Memorial Day Weekend. 

“What good does it do if the order is not enforced?” Chaffee said. 

Chau responded, “Even the CDC recently has changed their tone and said that wearing a face covering … can help limit the spread of the virus. So, in my opinion, I’ve always said that it is important to wear a face covering when you are outside and cannot keep six feet away from people.” 

Quick stood firm on her mask order until her June 8 resignation, then Chau took her position over. 

He stood by Quick’s order until he walked it back to a strong recommendation June 11. 

“I think that we need to be guided by medical science and sometimes politics clash with that, so be strong,” Chaffee told Chau at Tuesday’s meeting. 

Meanwhile, the virus has now killed 273 people, including four new deaths Tuesday, out of 10,737 confirmed cases, according to the County Health Care Agency’s updated numbers. 

There’s also 349 people hospitalized, the highest daily count on record,  including 137 in intensive care units. 

Nearly 5,200 people have recovered and nearly 224,000 tests have been conducted throughout OC, which is home to roughly 3.2 million people. 

Supervisor Don Wagner questioned Chau on Tuesday about how the hospitalizations are reported. 

Wagner asked Chau if a person who’s infected, but asymptomatic, goes to the hospital for something like a heart attack or falls down the stairs would be reported as a hospitalized virus case. 

“Are the hospitals separating out for us?” Wagner said. Those people going in for respiratory problems … as opposed to say appendicitis or a fall?” 

Chau responded, “They don’t … but that number is actually low in Orange County.” 

Although, Chau didn’t have the exact number. 

Supervisor Michelle Steel also asked about the hospital number reporting. 

“We have to see those numbers,” Steel said. “We can differentiate that people went in knowing they had COVID, they’re not hospitalized with COVID … so I just want to see those numbers and people see that.” 

Chau said he’ll try to get those numbers separated out of the total counts. 

“So I have to ask the hospital association to see if we have cooperation on that.” 

The latest data shows OC’s daily COVID hospital patients are now at their highest level of the pandemic. OC continues to outpace three of the four neighboring counties’ recent death rates.

OC Sheriff Don Barnes wasn’t at the Supervisors meeting and no County official mentioned how the new statewide mask mandate will be handled by the County. 

While Barnes hasn’t publicly said anything about the statewide coronavirus mask mandate, he did say he wouldn’t instruct deputies to enforce Quick’s mask order. Instead, deputies would take an educational approach, Barnes told Supervisors at their May 26 meeting. 

During Tuesday’s public comment portion of the Supervisors meeting, competing factions of residents showed up: a pro-mask group and an anti-mask group. 

Last week, Supervisor Don Wagner told Voice of OC the pro-mask residents have been silent until Quick’s order was walked back by Chau a couple weeks ago. 

Anaheim resident Vern Nelson told Wagner the pro-mask people didn’t want to be near the anti-mask people because they feared catching the virus. 

“We haven’t been silent. We just don’t want to be near these anti-mask zealots’ Nelson told Wagner. 

Numerous people who were against the masks told Supervisors there is no science to back up the masks and the virus is being overblown by the media. 

Others said it should be their choice to wear masks or not and a statewide mandate is government overreach.

Shortly after Chau walked back the order, an online petition was started to reinstate the County mask order. It’s at roughly 40,000 signatures as of Tuesday. 

Here’s the latest on the virus numbers across Orange County from county data:



Spencer Custodio is a Voice of OC staff reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio

How can I sign up for a vaccine?

For full details on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County view our Voice of OC vaccine page that is constantly updated and has links of where to register for an appointment: http://bit.ly/occovidvaccine.

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

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